Brake-clamp.



NITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. GOODWIN, OF LAWRENCE, MASSACHUSETTS.

BRAKE-C LAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent'No. 665,208, dated January1, 1901.

Application led July 12, 1900. Serial No. 23,339. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. GOODWIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lawrence, in the county of Essex'and State of Massachusetts,have invented new and useful Improvements in Brake-Clamps, of which thefollowing is a specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side View ofthe clamp. Fig.2 is a transverse section at w. Fig. 3 is a transverse section at y y.Fig. 4 is a detail view, and Fig. 5 shows the mode of application of theclamp.

The invention relates to clamps for taking u p the slack of thebrake-bearing in order to facilitate connecting the bottom rod ofpassenger-trucks and for other like purposes, as hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings the letter A designates the main bar, whichis made straight, with parallel sides, and is provided at one end with atransverse head or short bar B. The end of this short bar is providedwith a threaded bearing for engagement with the threaded portions of thescrew C, the inner end of which is seated in a recess or bearing d inthe back of the hook-slide E, which is formed with a loop F, engagingthe main bar. This hook-slide is designed to engage a brake-beam of anystyle. The end of the screw C is secured in its bearing in the back ofthe hook by means of a set-screw, as indicated at g. At the other end'ofthe main bar is the axle-grip H, having the main or outer clamp-hook kand the inner hook projection Z, these hook projections extending fromthe body portion m, which is provided with a longitudinal slideway orbearing fn, through which the end of the main bar A is extended. Theslideway or bearing n is enlarged somewhat toward its inner end intapering form to allow play on the main bar and to receive the steelspring s, which is designed to hold the inner projection 1o of the clampin engagement with a notcht of the main bar, said bar having a series ofsaid notches, forming a rack, as indicated in the drawings.

Z indicates a handle-bar at the outer end of the screw C.

The brake-bars employed on railway-car trucks are of different stylesand the Wheels of various sizes within certain limitations, and it isdesigned by the inventor to provide a clamp which is easily adjusted andapplied Without liability of slipping when the strain is applied. Y

When the clamp is applied, the axle-grip is adjusted to approximateposition on the main bar, when it is held automatically by the action ofthe spring after it is applied to the wheel-axle, the brake-hook isplaced in position on the brake-beam, and by means of a few turns of thescrew the brake-shoes are pressed up against the wheels, so that thelength of the brake-rod can be readily taken and applied. Y

The detachment of the instrument from the axle and from the brake-beamis easily and quickly eiected.

The clamp is strong and durable and proves very efficient for thepurposes in view.

Having described this invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s

l. The clamp consisting of the notched rack-bar, the adjustableaxle-grip at one end of said bar and adapted to engage the notches ofsaid bar, the adjustable slide upon the opposite end of said bar adaptedfor engagement with the brake shoe or beam, the crosshead of said bar,and the screw having a threaded engagement with said cross-head andbearing at .its end portion upon said slide, substantially as specified.

2. The combination with the notched main bar and its cross-bar having athreaded eye, of a spring-held adjustable hook on the notched end of thebar, and on the other end the adjustable hook the adj usting-screw, andthe recess or bearing of said hook engaging the end of said screw,substantially as specifled.

In testimony whereof I aftix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES E. GOODWIN.

Witnesses:

MERRILL N. HowE, P. BEATRICE BUx'roN.

